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By following a few simple steps, you'll be able to have a productive meeting with your child's teacher.

You probably have quite a few things you'd like to talk about, but possibly only a 10-minute or 15-minute appointment. If you can prepare a little beforehand, you'll get more from your meeting with your child's teacher.

What should I do to prepare for parents' evening?

Decide who's going

If you and your partner can attend parents' evening, your child's teacher will know that you're both involved in his education. If you will be going alone, consider whether you'd feel more confident if you brought a friend or relative with you. Afterwards, you can discuss together what your child's teacher said.

Talk to your child

Ask your child how things are going at school. Ask him what he would like you to ask the teacher. Even though your child is only in his first year at school, he will probably be able to tell you what he likes and dislikes.

Write down your questions

If you have any specific queries, jot them down and bring them to parents' evening. If your child's teacher is on a tight schedule, it's important that you use the time to discuss your key concerns.

How can I make the most of parents' evening?

Focus on your child

Parents' evening is your chance to get a detailed report on your child's progress and behaviour in school. You may only get a short time with your child's teacher. If you have questions about general school policies, call the school office or check the website instead.

If you have specific concerns, raise them with your child's teacher. You know your child better than anyone, so take the initiative.

Get to know your child's teacher

The first parents' evening is your chance to get to know your child's teacher. If you have a friendly relationship, it may make it easier to talk about concerns that arise during the school year. Listen to what she has to say before you ask your questions.

Try not to get defensive

It's perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous about parents' evening. Your child's teacher will probably begin your meeting with positive comments about your child. Great – as a parent, you want to hear how wonderful your child is.

But bear in mind that you may also be told about areas where your child has room to develop. Your child's teacher may want to arrange a further meeting with you to discuss an action plan. She may suggest your child is given extra help with reading or writing.

This may be hard to hear, but try to fight the urge to argue with the teacher or to dismiss her comments. She is not blaming you or your child. Parents' evenings are there to help you find out how your child is doing in school. Your child's teacher is trying to identify ways to help your child get the most from his education.

Take a notepad and pen

After the meeting, you may forget some of what you discussed. Jotting things down as you go along will help to jog your memory later.

Ask about friendships as well as schoolwork

How well your child fits in socially can have an effect on how well he learns. Ask the teacher whether your child always plays with the same children. Perhaps your child has made some new friends. Ask whether the teacher has any concerns about how your child gets along with others. The teacher will also be able to tell you how your child joins in with classroom discussions.

Tell the teacher about changes at home

If there's been upheaval in your house, let your child's teacher know. A new baby, a divorce, a house move or a death in the family can affect the way your child behaves in the classroom.

Plan what to do next

Before you say goodbye to your child's teacher, find out how you can follow up any discussions you have had. Should you schedule another meeting? If your work means you can't get to school during the day, can you arrange a phone call? Ask your child's teacher how you can ask any other questions you might think of after you've got home.

What should happen after parents' evening?

Tell your child how it went

Your child may only be in his first year at school, but he will be interested to know that you met his teacher. Make sure that the first thing you do is pass on any praise and positive comments. If there are areas of concern, discuss these after you've told your child all the good things his teacher said about him.

If your child had a specific question he wanted you to ask his teacher, tell him what his teacher said. If your child was worried about another child's behaviour, tell him you talked to the teacher about it. Explain what you and the teacher decided to do. Following up like this gives your child a sense that he has been heard and that you take his concerns seriously.

Stay in touch with the teacher

It's fine to talk to your teacher before the next parents' evening if you need to. Maybe you will get the chance for a brief word with your child's teacher at drop-off or pick-up time. If you cannot get to school at those times, arrange a phone call.

Which questions should I ask my child's teacher?

If this is the first parents' evening you've attending, you may be unsure exactly what you can ask. Here are a few pointers:

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